Intercourse

A poem about war, free-form, abstract.

The revelations of a war:
the only difference there is between an angel and a gangster
is their set.
Both seem compelled
to choose a side, to sport a gat, to kill their brothers and to die
with uttermost determination,
without ever asking �" why?
…as layers of years settle over the ancient wars
and smooth the crease
both sides stir up the same nostalgia.
Communist strife and Nazi mania
wed.
Distinctions cease.

A stack of faded photographs remains,
and rows of apparitions in their chiseled uniforms
living eyes downcast, and me
searching for ghosts in the dust.

So much for righteous indignation…

2009

Reviews

[emmajoy]

' Both seem compelled ~ to choose a side, to sport a gat, to kill their ~ brothers and to die ~ with uttermost determination, ~ without ever asking " why? ' A sombre dedication in its way .. and that 'stack of faded photographs remains, and rows of apparitions in their chiseled uniforms' are tragically cruel reminders of the brutality of war upon war upon war, centuries of it, and each worse than the previous. We need to to search for memories in the hope that one day when yet another war's declared, more than a few realise its yet another nail in the coffin of Mankind.

[Alessander]

and you say I'M a nihilist. What matters what side one chooses if it all ends in faded photos anyhow? I really liked the concept of gangsters and angels being one in the same - I mean, is that God ordering hits? I guess if one believes in such things it wouldn't matter cuz unlike a mob boss, God created life anyways, so who are we to b***h? lol

love the line "ghost in the dust".

[ScaryTrees]

when we stop choosing sides
when there are no sides to chose
we will have arrived or disappeared
completely
until then
the wars go on
collateral damage is considered acceptable

[asdarkeyesclose]

I liked the way you developed the opening statement into a convincing argument- I didn't want to be convinced and wasn't at first. The imagery in the second half is excellent- just the kind of thing I like to read. I'll have to come back and read more of your poetry.

[Allen Smuckler]

You summed this monster up, perfectly...succinctly...and vividly...unfortunately...you're right...
Someday, hopefully...mankind will come to its senses. In the meantime it's up to us to keep it alive...
This is a great write, Julie.
allen